# The Divine Comedy — Character guide

> Key figures in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

- [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri.md): The protagonist and narrator, journeying through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
- [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/virgil.md): Dante's guide through Hell and Purgatory, representing human reason.
- [Beatrice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/beatrice.md): Dante's idealized beloved who guides him through Paradise.
- [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/jesus_christ.md): Central figure of Christian faith, referenced throughout the poem.
- [St. Francis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_francis.md): Founder of the Franciscan order, praised in the Sphere of the Sun.
- [Thomas Aquinas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/thomas_aquinas.md): Dominican theologian who appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Pope Boniface VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/pope_boniface_viii.md): Corrupt pope condemned in Hell for simony.
- [Count Ugolino](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/count_ugolino.md): Traitor frozen in Cocytus, who gnaws on Archbishop Ruggieri's skull.
- [Corso Donati](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/corso_donati.md): Florentine political leader, mentioned in Purgatory.
- [Sordello](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/sordello.md): Mantuan poet who guides Dante and Virgil through Purgatory.
- [St. Dominic](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_dominic.md): Founder of the Dominican order, praised in Paradise.
- [St. Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_peter.md): Keeper of the keys to Heaven, examines Dante on faith.
- [Constantine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/constantine.md): Roman emperor whose Donation is criticized in the poem.
- [Cacciaguida](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/cacciaguida.md): Dante's great-great-grandfather, encountered in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Farinata degli Uberti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/farinata_degli_uberti.md): Ghibelline leader who rises from a tomb in Hell.
- [Ciacco](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/ciacco.md): Florentine glutton who prophesies future strife in Hell.
- [Brunetto Latini](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/brunetto_latini.md): Dante's former teacher, punished among the sodomites in Hell.
- [Francesca da Rimini](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/francesca_da_rimini.md): Lover condemned to the second circle for adultery.
- [Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/ulysses.md): Greek hero who recounts his final voyage in the eighth circle.
- [Pope Nicholas III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/pope_nicholas_iii.md): Simoniac pope punished head-down in a hole in Hell.
- [St. Bernard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_bernard.md): Mystic who guides Dante in the final cantos of Paradise.
- [Piccarda Donati](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/piccarda_donati.md): Blessed soul in the Heaven of the Moon, explains lesser vows.
- [Justinian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/justinian.md): Byzantine emperor who recounts Roman history in the Heaven of Mercury.
- [Statius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/statius.md): Roman poet who joins Dante and Virgil in Purgatory.
- [Matilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/matilda.md): Lady who prepares Dante for ascent to Paradise in the Earthly Paradise.
- [Forese Donati](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/forese_donati.md): Dante's friend, purging gluttony on the terrace of Purgatory.
- [Bonagiunta da Lucca](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/bonagiunta_da_lucca.md): Poet encountered among the gluttonous in Purgatory.
- [Guido Guinizzelli](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/guido_guinizzelli.md): Poet purging lust, hailed as father of the dolce stil novo.
- [Arnaut Daniel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/arno_daniel.md): Provencal poet purging lust in Purgatory.
- [Peter Damiano](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/peter_damiano.md): Monk and cardinal who appears in the Heaven of Saturn.
- [Charles Martel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/charles_martel.md): Crowned prince of Hungary who appears in the Heaven of Venus.
- [Folco of Marseille](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/folco_of_marseille.md): Troubadour turned bishop, appears in the Heaven of Venus.
- [Cunizza da Romano](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/cunizza_da_romano.md): Blessed soul in the Heaven of Venus, sister of Ezzelino.
- [Rahab](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/rahab.md): Biblical harlot who appears in the Heaven of Venus.
- [Solomon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/solomon.md): Biblical king who speaks on the resurrection in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Bonaventure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/bonaventure.md): Franciscan theologian who praises St. Dominic in Paradise.
- [Peter Lombard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/peter_lombard.md): Medieval theologian, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Sigier of Brabant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/sigier_of_brabant.md): Philosopher mentioned by Thomas Aquinas in Paradise.
- [Albertus Magnus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/albertus_magnus.md): Scholastic philosopher and teacher of Aquinas in Paradise.
- [Gratian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/gratian.md): Canon lawyer who appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Peter of Spain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/peter_of_spain.md): Logician and pope, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Nathan the Prophet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/nathan_the_prophet.md): Biblical prophet, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [John Chrysostom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/john_chrysostom.md): Church father, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Anselm of Canterbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/anselm_of_canterbury.md): Theologian and archbishop, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Elijah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/elijah.md): Biblical prophet, referenced in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Joachim of Flora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/joachim_of_flora.md): Mystic and abbot, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Hugh of St. Victor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/hugh_of_st_victor.md): Mystical theologian, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Richard of St. Victor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/richard_of_st_victor.md): Mystical theologian, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Boethius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/boethius.md): Roman philosopher, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Isidore of Seville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/isidore_of_seville.md): Church father and encyclopedist, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Bede](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/bede.md): English historian and theologian, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Donatus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/donatus.md): Roman grammarian, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [Rabanus Maurus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/rabanus_maurus.md): Carolingian scholar and archbishop, appears in the Heaven of the Sun.
- [David](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/david.md): Biblical king and psalmist, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Joshua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/joshua.md): Biblical leader, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Judas Maccabeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/judas_maccabeus.md): Jewish warrior, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Charlemagne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/charlemagne.md): Holy Roman Emperor, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Robert Guiscard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/robert_guiscard.md): Norman conqueror, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon.md): Crusader leader, appears in the Heaven of Mars.
- [Trajan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/trajan.md): Roman emperor saved by Gregory's prayers, appears in the Heaven of Jupiter.
- [Ripheus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/ripheus.md): Trojan hero saved by grace, appears in the Heaven of Jupiter.
- [Peter the Sinner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/peter_the_sinner.md): Benedictine monk, appears in the Heaven of Saturn.
- [St. Benedict](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_benedict.md): Founder of Western monasticism, appears in the Heaven of Saturn.
- [St. Macarius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_macarius.md): Desert father, appears in the Heaven of Saturn.
- [Romualdus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/romualdus.md): Hermit and founder of Camaldolese order, appears in the Heaven of Saturn.
- [St. John the Evangelist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_john_the_evangelist.md): Examines Dante on charity in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [St. James](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_james.md): Examines Dante on hope in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/adam.md): First man, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [Moses](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/moses.md): Biblical lawgiver, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [Samuel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/samuel.md): Biblical prophet, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [St. Luke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_luke.md): Evangelist, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [St. Matthew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_matthew.md): Evangelist, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_paul.md): Apostle, referenced as examiner of faith in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.
- [The Virgin Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/the_virgin_mary.md): Mother of Jesus, intercedes for Dante throughout the poem.
- [St. Lucia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/st_lucia.md): Saint who aids Dante's journey, sending Beatrice to Virgil.
- [Cato of Utica](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/cato_of_utica.md): Guardian of Purgatory's shore, a symbol of moral freedom.
- [Casella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/casella.md): Musician friend of Dante who sings on the shore of Purgatory.
- [Belacqua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/belacqua.md): Lazy friend of Dante, purging in Ante-Purgatory.
- [Jacopo Rusticucci](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/jacopo_rusticucci.md): Florentine sodomite encountered in the seventh circle of Hell.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters